Is he really insane? His ideas and actions are extremist and repugnant, and we would like to think only a crazy person would carry out such atrocities. But he seems to have well thought and specific reasons for his actions. He had goals. He is responsible for his actions. If he is insane, then the 9/11 bombers also were insane. They were extremists and terrorists, and so is Breivik. By calling him insane, the far right extremists can distance themselves from his actions in a manner not afforded to even Muslim moderates after 9/11.

Bill: Concerning your last paragraph, I must ask how you know there was not such a person present? The presence of armed people in the U.S. during shootings has not ordinarily turned out well, I believe, though I have to do some research on that.